Saturday, September 08, 2007
"A Game Played on Saturday Afternoon by 18 Year Olds."
Those were the words spoken to me by a Regent of the University of Michigan back in 1988 when I got a little riled up over the performance of the football team.
While last Saturday's loss by my alma mater to Appalachian State is being called "the biggest upset in college football history," I find myself smirking slightly at the notion that this particular game means much more than than the above quote. Sure, programs like Michigan's are basically professional in every aspect but the paychecks, but the participants are still kids. The vast majority of the kids in uniform on Michigan's, Notre Dame's, SoCal's, etc... sidelines are not superstars. They have no pretensions of playing in the NFL. They go to class. They are not pampered like the chosen few. They are simply student athletes - And that is why I prefer college sports over the pro ranks any day of the week.
Give me a Div. III team with a hundred parents in the stands and folding table for a concession stand over Giant's Stadium.
And don't be surprised if Michigan's new-found humility is the key to winning the Big Ten. Or then again, maybe not. Go Blue.
UPDATE: As of now (halftime of today's game) I think it is fair to say that Oregon's 18 year year olds have their act together far more than Michigan's do. Ouch! ¶ 8:07 AM
While last Saturday's loss by my alma mater to Appalachian State is being called "the biggest upset in college football history," I find myself smirking slightly at the notion that this particular game means much more than than the above quote. Sure, programs like Michigan's are basically professional in every aspect but the paychecks, but the participants are still kids. The vast majority of the kids in uniform on Michigan's, Notre Dame's, SoCal's, etc... sidelines are not superstars. They have no pretensions of playing in the NFL. They go to class. They are not pampered like the chosen few. They are simply student athletes - And that is why I prefer college sports over the pro ranks any day of the week.
Give me a Div. III team with a hundred parents in the stands and folding table for a concession stand over Giant's Stadium.
And don't be surprised if Michigan's new-found humility is the key to winning the Big Ten. Or then again, maybe not. Go Blue.
UPDATE: As of now (halftime of today's game) I think it is fair to say that Oregon's 18 year year olds have their act together far more than Michigan's do. Ouch! ¶ 8:07 AM
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Good answer.
Of course, I grew up with Indiana University football, so getting beat by a I-AA team is pretty much par for the course in my experience.
And of course, the Morehead State Eagles used to routinely lose their OWN Homecoming game.
We used to cheer "That's OK, Eagles - it's only a game!"
WF
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Of course, I grew up with Indiana University football, so getting beat by a I-AA team is pretty much par for the course in my experience.
And of course, the Morehead State Eagles used to routinely lose their OWN Homecoming game.
We used to cheer "That's OK, Eagles - it's only a game!"
WF
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